BEVERLY HILLS, February 19, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday assured that his administration will strengthen and transform the Nigerian Navy to enable it perform its constitutional roles of protecting the country’s territorial waters and as well boost the country’s rich maritime potentials.
He however called on the Navy to maintain its equipment properly and put them into good use for the benefits for the country.
President Jonathan gave the assurance and advice in Lagos while inaugurating four of the six naval ships acquired by the Nigerian Navy as part of its efforts to boost operational capabilities.
The ships inaugurated include the Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA, a High Endurance Cutter acquired from the United States of America; Nigerian Navy Ship PROSPERITY, a former Irish Navy fishery patrol boat, acquired purposely for use as a training ship; Nigerian Navy Ship CENTENARY, one of the two offshore patrol vessels procured from China and Nigerian Navy Ship SAGBAMA, which was donated to the Navy by the Peoples Republic of China.
Expressing gratitude to the friends of Nigeria and the Nigerian Navy for making the inauguration a reality, President Jonathan promised to transform the Nigerian Navy in line with his administration’s transformation agenda.
“In line with my administration’s Transformation Agenda and our vision of becoming one of the leading economies in the world, premium is placed on improved national security. This includes food security as well as employment generation,” he said.
He also explained that the high dependence of the nation’s economy on offshore resources and the enormous contribution of the maritime sector to the nation’s food security and employment generation makes provision of effective maritime security very imperative.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Navy, as the lead maritime security agency, deserves all the support it needs, to effectively carry out its statutory roles.
“In this regard, and in spite of other pressing demands, my administration has continued to support the fleet recapitalisation objective of the Nigerian Navy Transformation Plan 2010 – 2020, which was formulated to support the realisation of the goals of the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda,” President Jonathan said.
Expressing confidence of greater cooperation between the United States of America, China and Nigeria, President Jonathan disclosed that the four ships inaugurated were part of a total of six ships expected to be delivered to the Nigerian Navy Fleet in 2015.
According to President Jonathan, “I am confident that this event represents a furtherance of continued cooperation between Nigeria, the United States of America and China in the area of maritime security.
“It is remarkable to note that the Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA is the sixth ship the Nigerian Navy has acquired from the United States of America since 2002. On the other hand, Nigerian Navy Ship CENTENARY is the first of the two initial acquisitions from China.
“I am aware that the second vessel is still under construction in China and will be delivered before the end of the year.”
“This commissioning ceremony gives me opportunity to once again reaffirm my confidence in the competence and commitment of the officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy. I am glad to particularly note the achievements of the Navy in the fight against oil theft and other maritime crimes.
“I wish to reassure the Navy that this administration will not waiver in its support to the on-going capacity building effort we have started.”
“On your part, the government and people of Nigeria will expect judicious and productive use of these assets, to deliver the much desired maritime security.”
“On this note, I wish the officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy and in particular the officers and ratings that will sail in these ships, fair winds and flowing seas.”
